Re: [DL] Re: Product updates

[SteveL1979@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/29/00 10:53:38 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
hwoolsey@precisiongraphics.com writes:

<< Usually, authors and artists expect payment within 30 days of turning 
 over final manuscript or first round of art.  If this is the case 
 with PEG, they've already paid for four projects (Collegium, Waste 
 Warriors, and the two adventures that will now not be print but PDF 
 [and no one has been able to tell me yet if the PDF will be optimized 
 for print or screen]) as well as the additional costs incurred while 
 producing those products - editing, lay out, proofing, and fixed 
 costs for that time period.  Printing costs are an issue, but paying 
 these other costs while not selling any product to offset them has 
 got to be creating a cash-flow problem.>>

    The RPG industry doesn't work that way. Typically, authors get paid 
within 30 or 60 days *of publication* -- not of turning in their final 
manuscript. Some companies still pay authors royalties instead of flat fees, 
which also depend on publication (and sales). Artist pay methods can vary. 
So, PEG *hasn't* necessarily paid for any of these manuscripts.
 
<< Additionally, they have no direct cash commitment to getting the two 
 adventures distilled to PDF and available for download.  No printing 
 expense and revenue to start coming in as soon as they are posted - 
 why have they not at least done this?>>

    There are a whole host of reasons why they might not have. They may be 
reconsidering the PDF approach. They may not have the time and resources to 
devote to laying out and PDFing the documents right now. The authors in 
question may be protesting -- I can tell you from personal experience as a 
game author and editor that many, if not most, game authors dislike the idea 
of having their manuscripts distributed as PDFs. Most will grudgingly accept 
it as an alternative to non-publication, but some won't allow it if they can 
stop it.
 
<>

    The primary guys behind Cybergames are all associated with Hero Games, 
which has been around for 20 years or so -- they are fully aware of the cash 
commitment needed to run a print business. They have *many* areas of 
expertise, including downloadable product.

Steve Long